The way I remember it only certain people were able to see peoples mana cores. Just that even the people that could see them couldn’t sense the mana of mages stronger than them. Leo can sense the cores of higher stages because he used to be a mana beast of higher power.

lol was supposed to say band

I can appreciate that thought. For the reading part it’s more so that orphanages work a little differently in Elenoir in my head. Elves are much more close knit, shown in they don’t do schools but rather a teacher and disciple. I felt 5 was a good age for an orphan elf to have been taught to read by the orphanage caretakers. I will admit I slacked off heavily on the integration of Leo from beast into Elf culture. That’s why I just followed the og story’s timeskip, so I wouldn’t have to do that. I tried to explain it as just sort of following Arthur’s lead, and that’s why he doesn’t do much talking in the beginning, just internal thoughts. All of this can be attributed to this being my first FF back writing, and it’s taking time to get back into the swing of things. I’m glad you’re enjoying even with the plot holes lol.

Pretty much